The Church celebrates St. Catherine of Siena this week and quotes from her writings are relevant to us today. Meredith Frediani shares her perspective on one of her popular quotes about achieving greatness.
“Nothing great is ever achieved without much enduring.”
We often tell our kids this. When they grouse about going to school or the amount of homework they get, we remind them we value that which we work for. St. Catherine knew this. All of us have endured. Not one of us has skated through life with constant joy and sunshine. It’s comforting to know that God is with us in our enduring. Whether it is slogging through a chemistry class or working a job we don’t like, he is a constant presence.
Sometimes it becomes demoralizing when challenges come up as we work toward our goals. It would be nice if it were easy all the time. But when I look back, I feel best about accomplishments that I worked at. I value that song I learned to play with several measures that seemed impossible and the project I undertook that seemed it might do me in. Living a life of witness to Christ is not easy but in the end it will lead to something great.
Lord, let us draw upon Your strength to run the race of this life. Help us endure the challenges before us and see them as an opportunity for growth. Let our hearts know that You are always with us to carry the current cross we bear and let our eyes rest in Your loving gaze filling our hearts with Your hope. Amen
Smitten With Goodness 